St. Joseph Valley Camerata
began in 1975 as Camerata Singers of Elkhart (Indiana). Music director David
Seitz and singing friends, sensing opportunity for a new community chamber
choir, formed the thirty-voice ensemble that gave its first performance at
Elkhart Memorial High School in December of that year. The group obtained
corporate not-for-profit status in 1977. Christine Larson Seitz became
Camerata's accompanist in 1978, and since then no one else has ever accompanied
one of the group's concerts.
Highlights of Camerata's performances over the years include Yulefest dinner
concerts, Springfest dinner concerts, Valentine cabaret performances, sacred
programs in churches, pops concerts in Elkhart's historic Elco Theatre,
interactive events with high schools, and performances with the South Bend and
Elkhart Symphonies.
In 2003 Camerata Singers reorganized as St. Joseph Valley Camerata. For three
seasons the group functioned as a paid professional choir. The new group was
smaller, more select, and concentrated on main-line classics from the
Renaissance through Romantic periods. In the 2006-07 season, the pressures of
fundraising led the choir away from paid singer and director status. However,
the love of those singers and directors for this group and its repertoire
resulted in the current St. Joseph Valley Camerata, an effort whose only goal
is offering the best it can in chamber choir literature and sound.
St. Joseph Valley Camerata seeks to make participation by busy qualified
singers manageable. There is neither a Christmas concert nor one in the later
spring when school and other choir programs are so demanding. Approximately
eight rehearsals are scheduled before a November concert and the same leading
to a March performance.
Follow the River
to St. Joseph Valley
CAMERATA
Seasons for Song
Sing the Closing of the Year
Friday, November 7, 2008, 7:30 p.m.
First United Methodist Church
Mishawaka, Indiana
Make a Joyful Noise!
A Song of Thanks to the Choirs
Compositions and Arrangements by David Seitz, music director
See the Program
Sunday, March 22, 2009, 4:00 p.m.
College Mennonite Church
1900 S. Main
Goshen, Indiana
There is no admission charge for these concerts, but donations will be accepted
with great appreciation.
Kudos
St. Joseph Valley Camerata was selected to perform at the convention of the
Central Division of the American Choral Directors Association
in February, 2008.
Echoes of Camerata
Camerata’s Compilation CD is now available – get one for yourself and several for gifts.
Click on a title to hear a sample.
Selections were recorded in concert in 2005, 2006 and 2007.
If you would like to be added to our mailing list, send an e-mail to
SJVCamerata@aol.com
with your name, address, phone number and e-mail address.
St. Joseph Valley Camerata • Mishawaka Indiana
Telephone: 574.255.5979
Mail: PO Box 1444 • Elkhart IN 46515-1444
